Hirson (French pronunciation: [iʁsɔ̃]; Picard: Urchon) is a commune in the Aisne department in Hauts-de-France in northern France.

Hirson
The town hall of Hirson
The town hall of Hirson
Coat of arms of Hirson
Location of Hirson
Map
Hirson is located in France
Hirson
Hirson
Hirson is located in Hauts-de-France
Hirson
Hirson
Coordinates: 49°55′18″N 4°05′02″E / 49.9217°N 4.0839°E / 49.9217; 4.0839
CountryFrance
RegionHauts-de-France
DepartmentAisne
ArrondissementVervins
CantonHirson
IntercommunalityCC Trois Rivières
Government
 • Mayor (2020–2026) Jean-Jacques Thomas[1]
Area
1
33.77 km2 (13.04 sq mi)
Population
 (2021)[2]
8,662
 • Density260/km2 (660/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC 01:00 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC 02:00 (CEST)
INSEE/Postal code
02381 /02500
Elevation157–268 m (515–879 ft)
(avg. 189 m or 620 ft)
1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km2 (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.

Geography

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Location

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Hirson situation among the municipalities of the Aisne

Hirson is adjacent to Belgium. It is located in the northeastern department of Aisne, near the departments of Nord and Ardennes. Hirson is part of Thiérache. It is located near two large forests, the forest of Hirson and the forest of Saint-Michel.

Hydrography

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Hirson is watered by the Oise and Gland. The various streams of the town: stream of Anor, stream of Brugnon, stream of La Marquette, stream of Les Marais, stream of Blangy, stream of Le Catelet, stream of Le Rie De Bon Feu, stream of Four Matot.

Geology and Relief

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The culmination of Hirson is located 268 meters above sea level. The lowest altitude is 157 meters above sea level.

Neighboring municipalities

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Hirson is bordered by eight municipalities: Éparcy, Buire, Neuve-Maison, Mondrepuis, Anor (Nord), Momignies (Belgium), Saint-Michel, Bucilly.

Toponymy

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The name Hirson derives from latin Iricio meaning hedgehog, or from picard hirchon, of the same meaning.[3]

History

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As of the early 20th century, there was a permanent fort and two artillery batteries near the railway junction. Also at that time, the town was engaged in the manufacture of glass bottles, tiles and iron and tin goods, as well as wool-spinning and brewing.[4]

The town is served by the Fives-Hirson railway.

Population

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The inhabitants of the town are called Hirsonnais.

Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
1793 2,023—    
1800 2,144 0.83%
1806 2,061−0.66%
1821 2,231 0.53%
1831 2,718 1.99%
1836 2,880 1.16%
1841 3,005 0.85%
1846 3,140 0.88%
1851 3,212 0.45%
1856 3,203−0.06%
1861 3,224 0.13%
1866 3,334 0.67%
1872 3,951 2.87%
1876 4,445 2.99%
1881 4,809 1.59%
1886 5,743 3.61%
1891 6,294 1.85%
1896 6,632 1.05%
YearPop.±% p.a.
1901 7,461 2.38%
1906 8,541 2.74%
1911 9,638 2.45%
1921 9,759 0.12%
1926 11,344 3.06%
1931 11,403 0.10%
1936 11,203−0.35%
1946 10,462−0.68%
1954 11,134 0.78%
1962 11,715 0.64%
1968 11,858 0.20%
1975 11,986 0.15%
1982 11,348−0.78%
1990 10,173−1.36%
1999 10,337 0.18%
2007 9,473−1.09%
2012 9,348−0.27%
2017 8,813−1.17%
Source: EHESS[5] and INSEE (1968-2017)[6]

Monuments

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Churches

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Répertoire national des élus: les maires". data.gouv.fr, Plateforme ouverte des données publiques françaises (in French). 2 December 2020.
  2. ^ "Populations légales 2021" (in French). The National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 28 December 2023.
  3. ^ Semblat, Jean-Pierre (2010). Dictionnaire des noms de lieux de l'Aisne. Paris: Archives & culture. ISBN 978-2-35077-146-5.
  4. ^   One or more of the preceding sentences incorporates text from a publication now in the public domainChisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Hirson". Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 13 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 525.
  5. ^ Des villages de Cassini aux communes d'aujourd'hui: Commune data sheet Hirson, EHESS (in French).
  6. ^ Population en historique depuis 1968, INSEE